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Ever ready, Wise starts in center

Starting in center a change for Wise

CLEVELAND -- It was just a few days earlier when DeWayne Wise had a talk with his brother about the hope for increased playing time during this short stint with the White Sox.

"I was telling him, 'I'm ready to get in there for a start and get four or five at-bats,'" said Wise, who received that wanted start in center field during Wednesday afternoon's series finale at Progressive Field. "I had it in the back of my mind that I might get a start for the day game [in Cleveland] and give those guys a day off.

"I'm excited about today," Wise added.

Wise, 30, earned a callup to the White Sox on May 22 to replace Juan Uribe, who was placed on the disabled list with a strained left hamstring, based on the speed potential he could add off the bench and his strong production with the bat for Triple-A Charlotte. Wise hit .338 with eight home runs, 18 RBIs and 12 stolen bases for the Knights, but has needed to keep that good flow going in reserve at the big league level.

Luckily for Wise, he understands what's needed when the playing time is a bit sporadic.

"Being up here before and not getting a chance to play every day, I'm used to it, as far as being in that situation," said Wise, who scored the winning run as a pinch-runner in Monday's 12-inning victory over the Indians. "I know how to deal with it. I prepare and go in the cage and stay ready when I have this sort of chance."

With Uribe eligible to rejoin the team in St. Petersburg on Saturday, Wise knows his days probably are numbered during this stint with the team. His goal on Wednesday, though, was not to try to do too much with each at-bat.

"While I'm here, I just want to make the best of every opportunity," Wise said.

Scott Merkin is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.